Can anyone help me with the difference between PA and DP profibus?

Profibus-PA is specified by IEC 61158 Type 3. It is a manchester encoded network

operating at 31.250 Kbps identical to Foundation Fieldbus H1, except that the
protocol is specified by the Type 3 Data Link Layer and is identical to Profibus-DP. PA
is used to communicate with process transmitters such as flow, pressure,
temperature, and level. It supplies DC power to the transmitter.
Profibus-DP is also specified by IEC 61158 Type 3 but uses a TIA-485 physical layer
and operates at speeds up to 12 Mbps over short line lengths. DP is optimized for
communications between PLCs or between PLCs and their remote I/O units to carry
registers of data from discrete sensors.
PA uses a PA/DP Coupler to bridge its data to a DP network to reach a controller.

PROFIBUS DP
What is the meaning of the acronym 'GSD' file?
There are lots of interpretations concerning the acronym GSD, but the
correct version is; 'General Station Description'. More on GSD files can be
found here:
www.profibus.com/nc/technology/glossary/glossary/detail/general-stationdescription-gsd/G/
Can you explain the diagnostic message structure of DP-V0 devices?
DP-V0 slave devices require a 6 bytes long mandatory diagnostic part. It
contains information about the connection/device status and during
certification has to be exactly behaving according the standard.
Additionally to the mandatory diagnostic part, devices can also provide a
device specific part with a maximum length of 244 bytes (including the 6
mandatory bytes and headers). The device specific part can be defined by
the device manufacturer (device related diagnostics) and/or a scheme of the
standard can be implemented (identifier related and channel related
diagnostics). 99% of the device manufacturers implement only the device
related diagnostics.
It is highly recommended to specify the diagnostic data in the GSD file and
manual of the device. Most DP masters and diagnostic tools can extract the
diagnostic information and make it available for the application software.
What is Tid2 in the busparameter settings?

This busparameter defines the delay the sender of an unacknowledged

telegram shall wait until it may send another telegram. Tid2 is the
maximum value of 2 variables:
1) MaxTSDR
2) TQUI + 2*TSET + 2 + TSYN
In most cases MaxTSDR has the highest value (Tid2 = MaxTSDR).
A typical message that uses Tid2 is the Global Control broadcast with
PROFIBUS DP.
Does the PNO update GSD files on their website or CD-ROM?
NO, the manufacturers are responsible to update the GSD files on
profibus.com. The PNO does not publish a CD-ROM. The manufacturer
website is the best place to download GSD files.
Will the choice of addresses influence the cycle time?
NO, the master will always cyclically communicate with the slaves, so for
the cycle time it doesnt matter what addresses they have.
How many DP slaves can be configured in a network?
Most people say 126, but this is NOT true! The total number of DP slaves
that can be put in data-exchange is 124, because of the master that uses an
address and the reserved addresses 0 and 126 (these are blocked by the
configuration tool). Be careful:
Address 2 could also be blocked for slaves.
The master itself can have a limit.
Can I control the outputs of 1 slave with 2 masters (PLCs)?
NO, only 1 PLC has the right to control the outputs (safety feature). The
2nd PLC can only READ the inputs/outputs.
What is the most commonly used transmission speed?
1,5 Mbps is the most commonly used transmission speed. This is the default
speed when you create a new project. Most users dont know what it is and
keep this value. Our experience is that most installation are running on a
speed that is much too high for the application. When the speed is lower
you can have longer cables and less chance of disturbances.
Can I change some settings to make PROFIBUS DP communication
more reliable?
YES, in the busparameters of the master you can change some settings to
make the communication more reliable:
Retries/Repeats = 5
Tqui = 9
MinTSDR = 22
Is it necessary to reconfigure the bits & bytes in the control system

when a new device is added to PROFIBUS?

When a PROFIBUS device is added in the control system configuration, the
device gets new memory space assigned, which does NOT conflict with the
existing configuration. The existing configuration and program does not
need to be touched. This makes PROFIBUS perfect for instrument
expansion or complete machine copying.
How is the term plug and play used in PROFIBUS?
It has a double meaning; if you replace a device with the same type it works
directly, because the configuration is stored in the control system. Also, you
can easily integrate a new device in your configuration by importing a GSD
file and synchronizing the address of the device. By serving standardized
and profile based device descriptions PROFIBUS also enables a
manufacturer independent device replacement.
Does PROFIBUS DP have self triggered alarms/diagnostics?
When a device has diagnostics it indicates this during the data exchange.
The master will immediately fetch the diagnostics and makes the
information available for the end-user. The diagnostics from devices are
completely event triggered. Diagnostics are important for smooth and
reliable operation. Devices report their own device status and indicate when
they need service. This reduces maintenance costs and can increase time
between scheduled field visits.

PROFIBUS PA
What is FDE (Fault Disconnection Electronics) current?
Some devices consume more power when there is a problem with itself.
The FDE current is this additional static/basic current consumption. Some
devices have no FDE current. When there is a problem they consume the
same current. But when the problem becomes worse, the device shuts itself
down from the bus (no more power consumption).
Do simple PA couplers pass through all messages coming from the DP
side?
NO, the P+F SK1 coupler does NOT pass the token message (SD4)
through.
Can we use EDD and/or DTM on any DP-V1 class 2 master?
NO, each tool uses its own technology:
PDM: Modified EDD (based on PNO EDD, but not 100% compliant with
PNO EDD)
FieldCare: FDT/DTM technology
PactWare: FDT/DTM technology

 CommuWin: Executable DLL's (non standard solution)

A PA device has at least 3 function blocks. What are these blocks and
what is their purpose?
In the process industry it is common to use blocks to describe the
characteristics and functions of a measuring/manipulation point and to
represent an application through a combination of these blocks. The
specification of PA devices uses this function block model to present
functional sequences.
Physical Block (PB)
Describes the necessary parameters and functions of the device itself (e.g.
software version, serial number, vendor ID, factory reset command). There
is only one Physical block in a PA device.
Transducer Block (TB)
Contains parameters which have effect or describe the type of sensor or
actuator. Transducer blocks may also contain parameters for calibration and
linearization. The processed information is passed on to the Function Block.
If a device has more sensors, it has corresponding Transducer Blocks for
every sensor.
Function Block (FB)
Contains one or more cyclically accessible inputs or outputs parameters
(process values). These can be of analog or discrete nature. Other
parameters: setup scaling, alarms and unit
factorization.

What is a Profile within PROFIBUS PA?

Modern PA devices are intelligent and can execute part of the information
processing in automation systems. This was previously done by the PLCs or
DCS systems. The PA profile is designed with co-operation of the process
industry and defines all functions and parameters for different classes of
instruments. It is based on internationally accepted function block
technology. The profile contains descriptions for the following instrument
types:
- Pressure (and differential)
- Level, temperature and flow
- Analog/digital inputs and outputs
- Valves and actuators
- Analyzers
The profile is divided into 2 classes (A and B):
Class A of the profile describes common parameters of simple devices. The
scope is limited to the basic functions. This set consists of the process

variables (e.g. temperature, pressure, level) added by measured value state,

the tag name and the engineering unit.
Class B is an extension to class A and will cover more complex application
functions for identification, commissioning, maintenance and diagnosis.
The relationship of the parameters to the classes is visible within the
parameter definitions and in the conformance statements.
To conclude: The PA profile defines cyclical data + status, diagnostic
information and parameters. The PA profile assures interoperability and
device exchangeability
What is a Profile Ident Number?
In cases where the device of manufacturer-A should be replaceable by an
equivalent device of manufacturer-B, the standard Ident Number is no
longer sufficient because a GSD file is associated with this number. When
the device is replaced a change in the configuration is necessary which will
lead to a DCS/PLC stop. Therefore the PNO has assigned number ranges to
dedicated device types (Profile Ident Numbers) in combination with certain
Profile GSD files. A device can support multiple Ident Numbers which are
set by a parameterization tool. The end-user has to decide whether to select
the Manufacturer specific Ident Number or the Profile Ident Number.
Examples:
Transmitter 0x9700 to 0x970F
Actuator 0x9710 to 0x971F
Discrete input 0x9720 to 0x972F
Discrete output 0x9730 to 0x973F
How can you measure the length of a PA segment?
This is almost impossible. Because of junction boxes, spur lines and the
input resistance of the devices it is very hard to do. At the moment there is
no tool available.